Editorial antivirus comparison — updated 2026 Money-back guarantees vary by provider Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from partner links Prices shown are provider offers at time of publication Editorial antivirus comparison — updated 2026 Money-back guarantees vary by provider Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from partner links Prices shown are provider offers at time of publication
Antivirus comparison 2026

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Editorial overview · 2026
1 TotalAV Box
Current #1 · Editorial pick 2026
TotalAV
Antivirus, VPN, ad-blocker, password manager and breach monitoring — bundled in a single, beginner-friendly suite.
Real-time VPN included Password manager Ad-blocker
Editorial score 4.8 / 5 30-day money-back
Provider offer from €19 first year
Visit TotalAV
Affiliate disclosure: Cypheran is an independent editorial comparison site. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Rankings reflect our editorial opinion based on publicly available product information. Prices, features and guarantees are set by the respective providers and may change at any time. Always verify current terms on the provider's site.
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Why consider a dedicated antivirus suite

Built-in protection covers the basics. Suites often add more.

Modern antivirus suites typically bundle features that built-in system tools don't always include — for example, a VPN, password manager, ad-blocker or identity/breach monitoring. Whether you need these extras depends on how and where you use your devices.

Multi-layer protection

Antivirus suites commonly combine malware scanning with web-filtering and phishing protection in a single interface.

Privacy tools included

Many plans include a VPN for use on public Wi-Fi, plus a password manager for logins across devices.

Cross-device coverage

A single licence often covers Windows, macOS, iOS and Android — useful for households with several devices.

See our comparison
Editorial comparison · 2026

10 popular antivirus suites compared

An overview based on publicly available product information, feature lists and pricing from each provider. The top 5 are shown below; another 5 can be expanded further down the list. Editorial scores reflect our own assessment of the included feature set and presentation — they are not independent laboratory results.

Top 5 shown · 5 more expandable
Our Editorial Pick
EDITORIAL PICK
1
Total Security 2026
TotalAV
Editorial score 4.8 / 5
Antivirus VPN included Ad-blocker Password Manager Breach Monitor

Why we picked it: TotalAV packages a broad feature set — antivirus, VPN, ad-blocker, password manager and breach monitoring — in a single, beginner-friendly interface. A free scanner is also available, and paid plans come with a money-back guarantee. Features, performance and pricing details are set by TotalAV — see the provider's site for current terms.

Features96
Interface95
Usability96
Value96
Editorial scores reflect our own assessment and are not lab-tested.
TotalAV Box
Provider offer (from)
€19
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit TotalAV
Redirects to totalav.com
2
Total Security
Bitdefender
4.6 / 5
Antivirus VPN (basic plan: limited) Web protection

Bitdefender Total Security is a well-established suite offered by Bitdefender. The included VPN has a daily traffic limit on most plans; an upgrade may be needed for unlimited VPN use. Features and current plans are detailed on the provider's site.

Features94
Interface94
Usability93
Value89
Bitdefender Box
Provider offer (from)
€35.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Bitdefender
Redirects to bitdefender.com
3
360 Deluxe
Norton
4.3 / 5
Antivirus VPN included Cloud Backup

Norton 360 Deluxe is a long-established suite that bundles antivirus with cloud backup, VPN and identity-monitoring features depending on the plan. Storage amounts and country-specific features vary — details are on the provider's site.

Features92
Interface88
Usability91
Value85
Norton Box
Provider offer (from)
€39.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Norton
Redirects to norton.com
4
Total Protection
McAfee
4.2 / 5
Antivirus VPN included Mobile Security

McAfee Total Protection provides multi-device coverage with identity-monitoring features on select plans. Available plans, device limits and country-specific features are listed on the provider's site.

Features88
Interface85
Usability88
Value82
McAfee Box
Provider offer (from)
€29.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit McAfee
Redirects to mcafee.com
5
Prime
Avira
4.0 / 5
Antivirus VPN (limited on base plan) Password Manager

Avira Prime is a German-developed suite that also offers a well-known free tier. Higher-tier plans add VPN and additional features. Current plan details and prices are on the provider's site.

Features85
Interface82
Usability84
Value80
Avira Box
Provider offer (from)
€45.95
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Avira
Redirects to avira.com
Show 5 more antivirus providers Hide additional providers
6
Plus
Kaspersky
4.1 / 5
Antivirus VPN (limited on base plan) Password Manager

Kaspersky is a long-established antivirus brand offering consumer suites across multiple tiers. Availability and recommended use vary by region — some governments have issued advisories on its use for certain sectors. Consumers should check current availability and terms on the provider's site.

Features88
Interface86
Usability87
Value82
Kaspersky Box
Provider offer (from)
€35.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Kaspersky
Redirects to kaspersky.com
7
Premium Security
Avast
4.0 / 5
Antivirus Free tier available Mobile apps

Avast Premium Security is a consumer suite from Gen Digital's Avast brand. The suite is offered alongside a free tier with more limited features. Current paid-plan contents and pricing are on the provider's site.

Features84
Interface84
Usability85
Value80
Avast Box
Provider offer (from)
€39.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Avast
Redirects to avast.com
8
Internet Security
AVG
3.9 / 5
Antivirus Free tier available Ransomware protection

AVG Internet Security is a consumer antivirus suite that shares its engineering lineage with Avast under Gen Digital. It offers a free tier alongside paid plans with additional features. Current plan details are on the provider's site.

Features82
Interface82
Usability83
Value81
AVG Box
Provider offer (from)
€29.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit AVG
Redirects to avg.com
9
Total Security
G Data
3.9 / 5
Antivirus Password Manager Backup tools

G Data is a German security software company. Its Total Security suite bundles antivirus with a password manager and backup utilities. Current plan contents and pricing are listed on the provider's site.

Features82
Interface78
Usability80
Value78
G Data Box
Provider offer (from)
€39.95
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit G Data
Redirects to gdata.de
10
Dome Advanced
Panda Security
3.8 / 5
Antivirus VPN (limited on base plan) Free tier available

Panda Security (now part of WatchGuard) offers the Dome consumer antivirus line. A free version is available alongside paid tiers that add features like a VPN, parental controls and privacy tools. Current plan details are on the provider's site.

Features80
Interface78
Usability80
Value80
Panda Box
Provider offer (from)
€26.99
first year · check site for current pricing
Visit Panda
Redirects to pandasecurity.com
Visit our editorial pick: TotalAV
Redirects to totalav.com · prices and guarantees are set by the provider
What TotalAV Total Security includes

A broad feature bundle in a single suite

Below is an overview of the features TotalAV lists for its Total Security plan. Exact feature availability depends on the plan, region and current promotions — please check totalav.com for current details.

Real-time anti-malware

Cloud-supported scanning designed to detect viruses, ransomware and spyware on supported devices.

VPN (Safe Browsing VPN)

Included for encrypting your connection when using public or untrusted Wi-Fi networks. Usage subject to TotalAV's VPN terms.

Ad & tracker blocker

Browser-level WebShield component that can block ads and certain trackers on supported browsers.

Password Vault

A password manager for storing login credentials with auto-fill on supported browsers and devices.

Data breach monitor

Notifies you if your registered email address appears in known public data-breach databases.

System Tune-up

Clean-up tools designed to help free disk space and manage startup items on supported Windows systems.

User feedback

What customers say about TotalAV

The comments below are illustrative examples. For current, verified reviews please see independent review platforms. Individual results and experiences vary.

"The installation was straightforward on my older laptop. I appreciated that the scan gave a clear overview of what it found and offered guidance on next steps."
M
Michael L.
"I used the free scanner first to get a feel for the product. The interface was easy to follow, which made the decision to try a paid plan simpler."
M
Marko S.
"I use it on several devices in the family. The interface is easy enough that non-technical family members can navigate the basic options without help."
A
Andrej L.
How getting started typically looks

3 steps from interest to installed suite

01

Visit the provider

Our links send you to the provider's own site, where you can review current plans, pricing and terms.

02

Choose and download

If you decide to subscribe, the provider will guide you through checkout and provide the installer for your device.

03

Run the first scan

After installation, follow the in-app instructions to complete the initial scan and set up any additional features.

Visit TotalAV
Money-back guarantee terms are set by the provider — see totalav.com for current details.
Your questions, answered

Before you click, read this

Do I need a paid antivirus suite if I already use built-in protection?

Most modern operating systems include baseline security tools, which are a reasonable starting point. Paid suites typically bundle additional features such as a VPN, password manager, ad-blocker, identity / breach monitoring and cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). Whether those extras are useful depends on your personal needs.

Can an antivirus suite slow down my computer?

System impact varies by product, device and configuration. Each provider publishes system requirements on its website. Independent test laboratories (such as AV-TEST or AV-Comparatives) regularly publish performance reports you can consult.

Can I try a product before purchasing?

Many providers, including TotalAV and Avira, offer a free version or free scanner. The feature sets of free versions are more limited than paid plans — check the provider's site for current details.

What is the money-back guarantee?

Several providers, including TotalAV, offer a money-back guarantee (often 30 days) on paid plans. Exact terms, eligibility and refund procedure are defined by the respective provider — please review the current terms on the provider's site before purchasing.

Does it work on Mac, iPhone and Android?

Most listed suites support multiple platforms. Device limits per licence vary by plan. See each provider's website for supported operating systems and the number of devices included in a given plan.

Why are the prices so much lower than the listed price on the box?

Antivirus providers frequently run promotional pricing for the first year of a subscription, with standard pricing applying at renewal. The first-year and renewal prices are set by the provider and can change at any time. Always review the current terms directly on the provider's site before subscribing.

TotalAV Box

Ready to take a closer look at TotalAV?

Visit the provider's site to review current plans, features, pricing and guarantee terms.

Visit TotalAV
Redirects to totalav.com · prices and terms are set by the provider and may change.
Our editorial pick
TotalAV Total Security
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